This exquisitely oxidized vessel probably made a handy container in its more cylindrical days. The test tube shape suggests it held scientific specimens. Possibly pebbles or ice chips. Penguin bones or seal tissue. Nematodes, lichens, mosses. Algae, zooplankton, tardigrades.

Or perhaps it held field implements: pencils, tweezers, map pins, eyedroppers, lenses, batteries, clips, clasps, measuring devices. Maybe all of the above. Maybe none. In any case, it holds a good mystery.

This week’s items were found and donated to the Long View Project by Randall “Crunch” Noring, Marble Point field camp manager in Antarctica’s Dry Valleys. Thank you, sir!